Hybrid satellite communications system

• US 20030022625A1
• Filed: 09/17/2002
• Published: 01/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Duckworth, David G., Otten, David D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,174,127 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/13.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18563 Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systems data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/1858 Arrangements for data transmission on the physical system, i.e. for data bit transmission between network components
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks

Abstract

A hybrid satellite communications system provides communications, particularly Internet access, to computer users. The hybrid satellite communications system includes a satellite system and a terrestrial communications system. The satellite system includes two transceivers. The first transceiver receives and transmits a first set of signals received from the terrestrial communications system to a plurality of user units. In reverse fashion, the satellite systems second transceiver receives a second set of signals in a second frequency band from the user units and transmits those signals back to the terrestrial communications system. The first set of signals (downlink signals) are of much higher frequency than the second set of signals (uplink signals). Preferably, the first set of signals are relayed by a Direct Broadcast System (DBS) satellite in a frequency band between 12.2 GHz and 12.9 GHz, while the second set of signals are relayed by a Mobile Satellite System (MSS) satellite operating between 1.0 GHz and 3.0 Ghz, or relayed by a terrestrial node operating between 0.8 and 2.0 Ghz. The differences in frequency between the first set of signals and second set of signals is considered optimal for the transmission and receipt of communications between a computer user with the Internet. Moreover, the present invention is capable of using the present communications infrastructures dedicated to the satellite transmission of television via DBS satellites, satellite cellular communications via MSS satellites, and radio communications via terrestrial cellular systems.

Claims

1. A hybrid satellite and terrestrial communications system comprising:

an earth orbiting satellite means including a first transceiver for receiving and transmitting a first set of signals;

one or more terrestrial nodes including a receiver for receiving a second set of signals;

a terrestrial communications means for transmitting said first set of signals to said satellite means and for receiving said second set of signals from said terrestrial nodes; and

a plurality of user units, each of said user units including a transceiver for transmitting said second set of signals to said terrestrial nodes and for concurrently receiving said first set of signals from said satellite means.

2. The hybrid satellite and terrestrial communications system of claim 1 wherein said first signals are in a first frequency band selected from X band and K band and said second signals are in a second frequency band selected from L band and S band.

3. The hybrid satellite and terrestrial communications system of claim 2 wherein said first frequency band is between 12.0 GHz-13.0 GHz and said second frequency band is between 0.8 GHz-2.0 GHz.

4. The hybrid satellite and terrestrial communications system of claim 1 wherein said user units include personal computers and said terrestrial communications means is connected to the Internet for providing said personal computers access to the Internet through said terrestrial communications means, said terrestrial nodes and said satellite means.

5. The hybrid satellite and terrestrial communications system of claim 2 wherein said user units include personal computers and said terrestrial communications means is connected to the Internet for providing said personal computers access to the Internet through said terrestrial communications means, said terrestrial nodes and said satellite means.

6. The hybrid satellite and terrestrial communications system of claim 3 wherein said user units include personal computers and said terrestrial communications means is connected to the Internet for providing said personal computers access to the Internet through said terrestrial communications means, said terrestrial nodes and said satellite means.